Michelle Akers Undergoes Successful Shoulder Surgery

NewsApr 6, 2000

CHICAGO (Thursday, April 6, 2000) - U.S. Women's National Team veteran
Michelle Akers underwent successful surgery yesterday in Orlando, Fla. as
Team Physician Dr. Rob Palumbo repaired damage from a dislocation to her
right shoulder on Feb. 27. Akers suffered a "SLAP lesion" when she fell
after colliding with a goalkeeper during a training match, meaning that the
biceps anchor of her right shoulder was pulled off the insertion point.
Palumbo performed the arthroscopic surgery that re-attached the biceps anchor
and performed a capsular shrinkage to reduce the laxity in the shoulder joint.

"The procedure went very well and there were no complications," said Palumbo.
"She needs to rest and protect her shoulder for three to four weeks and then
she'll begin a progressive rehabilitation program. We expect her to be back
training no later than July. When she woke up, the first thing she asked me
was whether she could ride her horse. I told her that would have to wait."

Akers, 34, has scored 104 goals in 147 international matches for the USA.
She is a walking, kicking history of the U.S. Women's National Team having
played in the first-ever match in 1985, as well as three Women's World Cups
and the 1996 Olympics. Akers was the top scorer in the 1991 Womens' World
Cup in China and won the Bronze Ball as the third most outstanding player at
the 1999 Women's World Cup.

Akers has come back from a dozen knee surgeries, an orbital fracture that
required surgery, numerous knocks to the head and her share of stitches as
well as her much chronicled battle with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, to make her
mark as perhaps the greatest women's soccer player in history.

Her shoulder surgery was filmed by Discovery Health Channel's "The FITeam
Power Hour," a series that offers an inside look at how athletes achieve
mental and physical fitness, and gives practical information for anyone
seeking a vigorous, balanced lifestyle. The series, expected to premiere in
September, will feature Akers' comeback from what should be her final surgery
and her commitment to getting into shape for a run at her final Olympics.